Index-tab.



W. E. HARROD.

INDEX TAB.

APPLICATION rump NOV. 11, 1911 1,071,91 6. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

CHECKS IN DETAIL TOTA L CH ECKS MEMO. DEPOSITS CHECKS MEMO.

oeposira BALANCE aww/wto'n witwmo UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

WALTER E. HARROD, 0F HARROD, OHIO.

INDEX-TAB.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WVALTER E. Harmon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Harrod, in the county of Allen and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Index-Tabs, of which the following is a specification.

The primary purpose of the present invention is the provision of means to facili tate distinguishing active and inactive accounts, thereby lessening the labor of accountants when making entries or when examining accounts to distinguish running accounts from settled accounts.

The invention contemplates two threads or like connections arranged so that one of the threads only is in active position, both threads being joined in a manner so that the extension of one thread withdraws the other and vice versa.

.The invention further contemplates a third thread, the purpose of which is to return the indicating threads to inactive position, the several threads being connected whereby the act of withdrawing one of the indicating threads into active position moves the other indicating thread into inactive position and a pull upon the returning thread brings both indicating threads into inactive position.

The invention also has for its object to supply a novel form of index tab which is adapted to receive indicating matter as well as form a support for the indicating and returning threads.

The invention consists of the novel features, details of construction and combination of parts, which hereinafter will be more particularly set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing, forming a part of the specification, Figure l is a detail view of an account sheet provided with indicating means embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1, showing the position of the indicating threads reversed. Fig. 3 is a sectional view bringing out more clearly the relation of the tab and indicating and returning threads. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line wm of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on the line y-y of Fig. 2.

Corresponding and like parts are referred Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 11, 1911.

Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

Serial No. 659,803.

to in the following description, and indi cated in all the views of the drawing, by the same reference characters.

The numeral 1 designates a sheet such as generally employed in the keeping of ac counts, said sheet being ruled and provided with indicating matter according to the special purpose for which it may be designed. The tab 2 may be of any construction and secured to the sheet 1 in any manner, the projecting portion receiving the indicating and returning threads and adapted to have the indicating matter applied thereto. The tab is preferably formed of layers which are secured together in any manner. A space is formed between the outer-or projecting portions of the layers to receive the several threads. A fastening 3 connects the layers of the tab and serves to separate the indicating threads. This fastening may be of any formation and as shown consists of a wire staple which is forced through the layers comprising the tab, the projecting portions being bent to confine the layers, as indicated most clearly in the drawings.

The numerals 1 and 5 designate the indicating threads, which latter are of contrasting color, the thread 4 being dark and the thread 5 light, the contrast being such as to enable the threads to be easily distinguished. The black or dark numeral 4 indicates the debit whereas the white or light thread 5 designates the credit account. The threads 4 and 5 are connected so that when one thread. is drawn out into 0 erative position the other thread is move inward into inactive position and vice versa. Knots are formed in the end of the indicating threads to prevent their withdrawal through the tab. The returning thread 6 has connection with the inner ends of each of the indicating threads 4: and 5. In the preferable construction the indicating threads have their inner end portions twisted together to form the returning thread 6 or in other words the returning thread may consist of a cord, the strands of which are untwisted for a portion of their length to form the indicating threads 1 and 5.

When the device is used to indicate a debit account the thread 4: is withdrawn, but when an active credit account is to be designated the thread 5 is drawn outward, which results in drawing the thread 4 inward int-o inactive position. A pull upon the-thread 6 draws both of the threads 4: and 5 into inactive position, thereby indicating that the account is dead or closed. The projecting portion of the tab 2 is adapted to receive a letter or other designating matter which may be applied thereto in any way.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the advantages of the construction and of the method of operation will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, and while I have described the principle of operation of the invention, together with the device which I now consider to be the embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that the device shown is merely illustrative, and that such changes may be made when desired as are within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

. It is to be understood that when an account becomes inactive the third thread is pulled upon to withdraw the active thread and when the account becomes active by making an entry therein one or the other of the threads 4 or 5 is drawn into active position to indicate the character of the balance obtained, whether debit or credit by the color of the thread. Non-exposure of the threads 4: or 5 indicates that the accounts are dead and exposure of one or the other of the indicating threads designates that the account is active or alive and the nature of the balance whether debit orcredit is indicated by the thread exposed to view, thereby enabling the accountant to ascertain quickly the live accounts from the dead accounts and also to single the accounts, showing a debit from those indicating a credit.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new, is 2- I 1. In combination an index tab, and a plurality of connected indicating threads having a running connection with the index tab, to admit of withdrawing one of such threads into concealed position within the tabwhen the other thread is drawn out into a position to be exposed.

2. In combination an index tab, a plurality of connected indicating threads of contrasting color having running connec- 3. In combination an index tablcomprising layers between which is formed a space, a fastening for connecting the layers, indi cating threads arranged to operate about the said fastening in the space formed between'the layers of the tab, the projecting ends of the indicatingthreads having knots. and both of the threads being connected so that movement of one of the threads to bring it into a position to be exposed moves the other thread into a position to be concealed and a returning thread having connection with both of the indicating threads to move them into a position to be concealed.

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER Hanson.

Witnesses A. E. RANKIN," L. G. HARROD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, I

Washington, I). C. 

